Education

We’re in Augusta to learn about careers in the medical field with a visit to Augusta University! Up first we meet a doctor specializing in wilderness medicine who was actually the first person in his family to go to college. Very inspirational! But if those years of medical school sound daunting to you, we also learn about being an athletic trainer, the field of nuclear medicine technology, and the artistic career of medical illustration.

This is "technically" where the Fast Forward series begins—at a career fair in Dalton. Starting with an overview of Georgia-based STEM careers and companies, we include a look at Shaw Industries and its work with green technologies. Teachable Moments explore the different states of matter, discuss the energy required to convert solids into liquids and gases, and define terms like specific heat capacity, heat of fusion, heat of vaporization, and more.

Anyone watching the news knows healthcare is an ever-growing industry. So we head down to Macon to visit one of the area’s largest employers: Coliseum Health System, where we learn that you don’t have to be a doctor to be one of their 1,300+ employees! In fact, sometimes a high school education and a certificate or two are all you need to find a great job. On a different "note," we have a sing-along, hear an extremely moving story, and enjoy one of our weirdest Teachable Moments ever!

The University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences invites us on a tour of its Mountain Research and Education Center, where we interview Dr. Wayne Hanna, one of the foremost turf growers in the world! He’s grown grass for sports complexes as far away as the World Cup Soccer Tournament in South Africa, and as close to home as UGA’s own athletic fields. Teachable Moments center around agriculture, including photosynthesis, the nitrogen cycle, and more.

All animals should have it as good as the patients at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, where the staff is doing some richly rewarding work! The highlight of our visit is an up-close look at a surgical procedure on an injured sea turtle named Sendac. In addition, we take a guided tour, shoot behind the scenes, and interview the center's director, nursing staff, and more. Teachable Moments include a definition and explanation of ecosystems, and a description of why honey is a great substance for treating turtle wounds.

Despite what you see in cartoons, not all park rangers say, “Hey, Boo-Boo!” Luckily, one of ours does. You’ll want to meet her, along with the other rangers who help maintain this beautiful state park located just outside of Savannah. Not only is it a great place to get away for a few days, it’s also a great place for Teachable Moments, as we go well over our quota on this barrier island!